74 The Party (1/2)

”I'll be on time, Atty.”

Anthon was confident. He had long prepared for this. He turned on his laptop and ran a final check on the plan, total cost, design and the current progress. His previous contracts were bigger than this and the companies were already well - established. Though this project was altogether attractive and promising, he was still confident that he could always sign for another bigger ones. However,this was totally different. This was a new business venture and the owner amazingly placed his trust in their partnership.

No matter how many tricks he had done to know who the owner was,Atty. Guevarra was also very clever to outwit him. He always found ways to dismiss him and closed his question with, ”there's definitely time for it”.

Few weeks ago,during one of their meetings with the whole work force,he mentioned that the investor would soon be coming over to meet them all. And later today,he would finally be seeing him. He made sure he could go over to the tiniest detail. Hoping he could make more project referrals for him. Despite his success, he still harbored a sense of inadequacies deep inside. He was not a match yet to the capalities of financial investors. Someday,he swore,he would!

Atty. Guevarra was all smiles today. He got so thrilled and excited that he treated all his staff with a buffet lunch on a famous restaurant across their building.

”Are you going to announce your engagement today,Atty.?

His finance officer couldn't hold his curiousity anymore. He had been unusually happy today. Perhaps, because he saw him talking and laughingwith a pretty woman this morning.

All eyes fell on him. He looked around and he could tell their suppressed laughter and curiousity.

”What made you think about that? God be gracious and grant your wish! ”

The more they laughed. At this point,where his childish display of excitement was already showing,he still had the audacity to deny! All of them were convinced. It was really because of that woman this morning.

___

Jia did not feel like doing anything today. Her worries were consuming her. Auntie Elsa said he was not going to prepare food for Jim except for that breakfast she prepared in her house.

”Why, auntie? What did he say? ” She asked,her mind was already in turmoil.

”He said he will be staying in a hotel for a while.” Auntie Elsa said plainly. She had no clue that her answer could send a mighty turbulence inside Jia's heart.

If it were not because Jim had asked her to come here for a personal orientation with kuya Nap regarding the management of Gee's Cafe,she would have not left at all.

”Jia,since Gee's Cafe is yours,you really need to go home and get familiarized in running the business. Kuya Nap is going to open the third branch, and since you're planning to learn about business, now is the best time to start.”

”I'm sorry,I can't go home with you. There are still some things I need to complete so that I would be cleared out before my leave for our

wedding.”

Wedding. The thought of it made her heart burst. How would the wedding be realized if he was to stay in that very same hotel where his dad would personally feed him to the pig?